







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| No worries, it's free for you today. | |
| Hang on, there is another web site that says... | |
| Can I get you some more drinks? | |
| There is no table for you, then! | |
| My rent is monthly, I pay £600 per month. | |
| Do you need to wake up early tomorrow or something? | |
| Is it really on the menu? | |
| You sound like a mix of British and Australian. | |
| I'm really amazed by the structure of this station. | |
| Because I don't want to waste more time finding a new house... | |
| Yeah, that's a good idea. | |
| I don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | |
| Yeah, he is keen on moving house... | |
| They weigh everything at the checkout. | |
| It's all about my lovely little cat, Pogo. | |
| As I said, it's much easier to open with two people. | |
| Yeah, it is very important for me, actually. | |
| That's very interesting! | |
| Thank you very much! | |